Considering entering Falling Plate event

novalty · Sep 8, 2011

A local club has a falling plate match that is open to the public for a small fee, and have been considering giving it a try. Not sure yet whether or not I would use my 5906 or my 1911, but wanted to get some information from other's that have participated in Falling Plate matches. Wanted to know what rules I need to be aware of, holster requirements, magazine requirements, bullet (FMJ or lead) requirements, etc. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

OKFC05 · Sep 8, 2011

The steel challenge and NRA falling plate are basically a stand and blast speed event, so the less recoil the better, as long as it meets the rules.

Steel Challenge Rule Book

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/actionpistol.asp

This assumes the club is using the actual rules from one of the sanctioning bodies and not making them up as they go.

growr · Sep 8, 2011

Falling plates are a hoot.....DO IT and have a great time! I often use my M28 4"w/.38 SPL's and love it. Have used 1911's and 5906's as well, just seem to have more fun with the M28....something about having six plates and six rounds and the gratification of running the rack clean....
Randy

novalty · Sep 8, 2011

Well I am not the best shooter in the world, so I don't expect more then having six plates and six rounds and running the "mag" clean. Besides the gun, holster, 96 rounds of ammo, hearing & eye protection, what else will I need?

calmex · Sep 8, 2011

Falling plates, like bowling pins, can be deceptive if you have not practiced shooting them beforehand. The fact that they react to your shot often tends to make you want to look up (away from your sights) and watch them fall.

This is a bad idea, because you will miss your next shot, and perhaps your next several shots because you are now looking AT the plates instead of seeing them through your sights. Watch your sights. Try to stick with a load that recoils as little as possible.

I agree with growr that a heavy revolver using .38 Specials is just about the ideal plate gun. The best ever plate score I did in a match was 47/48 using a lightly loaded 1911 in .45 with iron sights that hardly recoiled at all...but my NORMAL plate average is around 42 - 46 plates and on everything but exceptional days I find it easier to do that with revolvers.

I suppose someday I should try to shoot the plates with a "dot" sight and see what happens...but I am just too dedicated to the iron sight method to make the investment, you know?

Watch your sights, not the plates. If you start missing, make that little voice in your mind yell "get back on the sights!". If the rules allow you to go prone (as they should) at 25, consider doing it and practice that a bit. Getting 4, 5 or 6 out of 6 at 25 yards can really help the score and it's better than the 2, 3 or 4 you are liable get if you stay on your feet. Just my two cents worth.

H Richard · Sep 8, 2011

When the Bianchi Cup first started, about 30 yrs ago, the revolver with mild .38 WC loads was the ticket. PPC guns were prevalent. Eventually the 1911 came into being as improvements in customizing them improved. (The reason for revolvers originally was a revolver could be cycled faster than a 1911). Now, it is primarily 1911 type guns but almost universal is a RED DOT sight. Put the dot on the target, shoot, move to next target, shoot, etc. No lining up the front and rear sights. I would time my draws and total time with either gun and use whatever I could shoot the fastest, "accurately". You do need a competition type holster, as it will make up to an entire second off your score than drawing from a standard type carry holster.

ACP230 · Sep 8, 2011

Either gun will work. The best one will depend on how hard the plates are set, and how many rounds you are allowed to load per stage.
Plates set hard will require a .45 to make them fall if you have less than perfect placement. A 9mm can work but I have had trouble with large plates with my 9mms from time to time.

My son still razzes me about a match in which he shot a .45 and beat me by 26 seconds. I retort that I beat him in revolver class. Then I shot a .41 Magnum and he shot a .357 with .38 reloads.

Steel plates are a lot of fun no matter what you shoot them with.
I had a lot of fun with some pepper poppers and my 12 gauge Remington 1100. It was my only good stage in a three gun match I shot back in June.

SW CQB 45 · Sep 8, 2011

Don't jerk the trigger.

Stay focused on your front sight.

Have fun and....

Tell us how you do.

wantmoresmiths · Sep 8, 2011

Like the Nike ad says "Just do it". I belong to a local league that shoots static (non falling) steel plates, and let me tell you, it is literally a blast. Once you try it, you'll be hooked. I got my son and daughter-in-law hooked, and hope to get my wife involved next season. Some steel matches don't even require a holster. They let you start from a "low ready" position, with the gun held at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Just show up with whatever equipment you have. Local matches are more forgiving when it comes to equipment. Check out what equipment the other shooters are using, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The other shooters in your squad will offer plenty of advice and will be more than happy to help you through your first match or two. They just want to keep the new shooters coming back. Once you get familiar with the game, come on down to my neck of the woods for the mother of all falling steel events, the PSA shootout.
2011 PSA Shootout All Stages Tim - YouTube

novalty · Sep 9, 2011

Well thanks to the internet and Youtube. I managed to find 2 videos of the plate shoot that I am thinking of going to. It is at the York County Fish & Game.

Rimfire Shoot

Centerfire

From the looks of the videos, they use the "low ready" starting postion you referred to wantmoresmiths. Which is good cause it would allow me to use my 1911, which I have 3 mags for, but no holster or mag holders yet. For my 5906, I have a holster and 4 mags , and 2 mag holders, but my concern is the DA to SA transition--need more practice. Looks like they have 5 plates on the rack.

tomcatt51 · Sep 9, 2011

novalty said:
Well thanks to the internet and Youtube. I managed to find 2 videos of the plate shoot that I am thinking of going to. It is at the York County Fish & Game.

If you have the opportunity, sight your gun for the distance you're shooting at and so you POI is right on top of the front sight blade. You don't want to be sighted for a six o'clock hold. The plates are (usually) white so you can see your sights against then. Sights on the plate when the trigger breaks and you have a hit. Don't spectate, fire and move to the next plate. As soon as you fire look to the next plate, don't wait to see the plate fall. Have fun, steel shoots are addictive.

Considering entering Falling Plate event

novalty

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OKFC05

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growr

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novalty

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calmex

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H Richard

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ACP230

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SW CQB 45

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wantmoresmiths

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novalty

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tomcatt51

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